Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2013 11:09:07 +0000
From: robert goater <winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: Tommy 1923/9

General  Sir Torrent Thompson
____________________________________________________________________________


"So, any other thoughts gentlemen?" A small group of officers were
meeting in their HQ tent discussing what they now knew about the invasion
and where they would land, Sword beach. Tommy was with them still feeling
out of place, but nobody gave his promotiom a thought, the fact he had
come up from the ranks was not a problem, there were too many other
issues to preoccupy them.

"I don't think we will be part of the first wave Colonel. We are an
advanced unit going to look for the enemy and we already know where they
are now. I think we will only go when we have secured the beach and the
Jerry's start to fall back."

"Any thoughts when Tommy?" Smithers was happy that he felt that Tommy
was confident enough to be able to give his opinion.

"Anything up to a week is my guess. It all depends on how quickly the
boys can secure the beach, but when they do we will be sent over and do
the job we are here for."

"Well, you could be right. I have been told we will be loaded up within a
month and when you board you will stay there  until you sail. That is
going to be bloody boring for the FRU." Col. Smithers would not be with
them, he would be leading his men on the first wave.

As we all know now, Operation Neptune began on the 6th June 1944. The
biggest invasion in history and there is no need to write more about it,
just the story of Tommy and Lee and the FRU. On the 9th and after
spending three days on the ship to take them over the English Channel to
Normandy, they set sail.

However, two weeks before that Captain Martin asked to speak to Tommy and
Lee, he needed to tell them what he knew and give his blessing to both of
them.
It was not uncommon for small groups to sit and chat, it could be about
anything and no one would guess what THIS was about!

"This may surprise you both............." And he went on to tell them
what he had seen in the woods at the end of the training on Salisbury
Plain. "I just want to tell you how happy I am about it all and I
sincerely hope we all come through this shit and you two have a great
future together. Tommy, Col. Smithers and I had already agreed to your
promotion and seeing you two together in the way I did made no difference
I promise you." They sat in silence for some time letting this sink in.
They were some what surprised, but happy that someone, besides
Edward, knew about them at last. Andrew was about to get a surprise of
his own.
"Thanks Andrew for telling us that, but as we are being open, we have
something to say to you. Is that alright?"

"Oh fuck! Is this going to be bad? No problem, go ahead."

"Lee and I are convinced you are Lord Hunter Morton's son, Cornwallis and
we have known from the moment we saw you. We know about your personal
family circumstances and we wont go into that, it's none of our business.
Andrew, I am from the Torrent family farming Upper farm on your father's
estate. It's a long story but we want you to know I had a love affair
with William and your father knew about it and indeed encouraged us.
When William and your sister were killed I was in a mess and his Lordship
could not have been kinder, even though he was in a bigger mess
himself, but I was even more so when my family were killed. I moved into
the Manor as his guest. When I joined up it's obvious Lee and I got
together and your father invited us to stay with him  when we were given
a weeks leave and he was a very happy man with us there. Andrew, all he
was doing is what he had wished he had done all those years ago when he
found out about you. There is not a day that he does not regret every
thing that happened. I think by us telling you all this is that you can
trust us to keep all this to ourselves and we promise no body will
know that we do, ever. Andrew your father is in a sort of mourning for
you and we know he would like to make it right and you two get back
together, he has no family left now as you well know. If we are out of
order, then we are sorry and will never mention it again." They sat in
silence again while Andrew came to terms with it all.

"Thanks both of you from the bottom of my heart. I know I can trust you.
What would you do in my place?" It was Lee's turn to speak.

"I know there is a black out about communicating with the outside world
now, but I think I have a way to get a message to your father." They both
looked at Lee in some surprise.

"How?" Tommy asked.

"Simple, us!"

"US!?" Both Tommy and Andrew said together.

"Fuckin officers, up your own asses most of the time and leave the
important things to us Corporals." After a good laugh they listened to
Lee.

"Right, listen up!" Tommy could have kicked him. "When we were on
Salisbury Plain, we trained and fired the Bazooka and of course bugger
lugs here did better than anybody, but you sir said we would not be armed
with them, you did not think the weight and the fact we would not likely
be in a position to use them justified having them. Now, you could always
change your mind, get Smiffy's agreement and we get one from the
Armoury and say we are going to test it again on the range near Poole."
Lee sat back assuming they would get to what he really meant.

"And?" Andrew asked.

"Oh God help me!" He said in desperation. "WE, meaning me and you
two, leave as soon as we can, forget shooting anything, unless you want
to Tommy, we ring his Graceship and tell him you are with us and take you
to the Manor when your dad stops fainting. Told you it was simple." Tommy
and Andrew just sat there letting all sink in.

"If we get caught they would Courts Martial us and throw us all in jail
Lee." Andrew said.

"In that case we will never win the fucking war. Come on sir it's worth
the risk and at least your Dad will have something to hang on too." That
did it.

"Fuck I love you two, I'm off to find Colonel "Smiffy." Be back as soon
as I can."

At 05 00 the following day Tommy and Andrew were being driven by Lee at
break neck speed towards Morton village, armed with a Bazooka and six
rounds. Andrew was a wreck and became more so as they got to a phone box
in the village. They crammed in the box and Tommy picked the phone up and
dialled.

"Hunter Manor." It was Jameson, the butler. Tommy had to deepen his voice
and tried to put on a English gentleman's accent.

"Yes, good morning, this is General Sir Torrent Thompson. I need to talk
to his Lordship urgently."

"His Lordship is still in bed General. It IS only 7am sir."

"Are you not not aware there is a war on man!? This is a matter of
national importance and I want to speak with his Lordship as directed by
Mr Churchill himself! Get him up, immediately, if not sooner!" It was a
bit over the top, but it worked.

"Oh my goodness, Mr Churchill you say? Oh my word. Please wait General, I
will go and wake his Lordship." The three looked at one another and Tommy
shoved even more pennies into the box.

"Who is this?" Tommy smiled as he heard the familiar voice of Edward.

"Edward this is Tommy, please don't say anything, just listen. Edward,
Lee and I are phoning from the village."

"TOMMY? Oh my word. What on earth are you two doing here? For goodness
sake you did not have to phone first my boy!"

"We have someone else with us my Lord."

"Really? Well just bring him as well."

"It's Cornwallis my Lord." The silence was long and deafening.

"My Lord, I am going to hand the phone to Cornwallis and Lee and I are
going for a walk." He handed Cornwallis the handset and he and Lee got
out of the box. Five minutes later he came out.

"Father is waiting for us."

They drove into the drive and Tommy told Andrew he and Lee would be in
the gardens. They watched as father and son were reunited. Both men
clinging on to one another and in a world that nobody else was invited to
at this time. They strolled around the gardens and greenhouses not paying
much attention to anything, just wondering how Edward and
Andrew/Cornwallis were getting on. They were with Wendy where Jameson
found them.

He looked at Tommy and smiled at him. "His Lordship has asked me to
invite you to join him, "General" and of course your body guard. By the
way how is Winston these days? Please do give him my regards if you ever
do get to meet him wont you, he knows me as "King George! Please young
Tommy don't take up acting!"

They went to the house where Edward greeted them like two more lost sons.
They sat and talked their heads off until Tommy said it was time to go.
"We have a war to win and then get back and start a new life." Tommy and
Lee said goodbye and waited in the jeep. It was a long wait which neither
of them had a problem with. At last father and son came out arm in arm
and hugged goodbye. Edward looked at Tommy and Lee.

"You are both to stay safe do you hear me and when this is all over I
would like you to come back here to start that new life you spoke about
Tommy. Torrent farm will be still here and it will be yours when you do,
yours and Lee's." The drive back was very quiet. When they arrived the
Bazooka and rounds were secured in Lee's jeep and would go with them.

The atmosphere in the camp was much different and all of the little group
of the FRU soldiers were each into their own thoughts. They were off to
board their ship the next day and there was nothing to do. Some rechecked
either jeep or BGC that they had checked a few times now. They eat
together sitting in the mess tent and for once there was no one taking
the piss or getting up to mischief. Andrew spoke to them and they tried
to join in, but really every thing that could be done or discussed had
dried up two days ago. There was no more training, no more lectures or
planning to be done. They had stopped being trainees, they were now
soldiers waiting to go into battle and there was one common thought they
all had.  Would they come back home?

During this last evening before the off Tommy and Lee kept glancing over
to one another and both realised that they were unique in that they were
going into action with the one they loved, everyone else had already left
their loved ones weeks ago. Lee was also getting horny! Tommy was not far
behind, he knew what that look meant Lee was giving him.

"Right lads i'm going to turn in. I would advice you all not to stay up
too long, I,m taking you to France soon and don't forget your buckets and
spades. Nite all."

Tommy tied the tent flaps tight together and turned to Lee. They had just
got back from the wash block and smelt good. They had showered and were
the cleanest they would be for some time to come they guessed. There was
no room to stand and so still on his knees Tommy went over to Lee and
kissed him. Nothing was said as they undressed one another until they
were naked and they just faced each other stroking each body. They had
made a bed between the small camp beds with all the blankets and Tommy
laid Lee on his back with him on top.
This was not the time to make full love, more to do with being physically
close in the arms of his love and more for comfort than anything else.
Tommy laid by Lee and they kissed for a very long time and at the same
time taking in each hardness and gently stroking. During the whole time
their lips never parted and like that they bought one another to the
point when they came together and as they did pulled one another as close
as it was possible to be.
After they had regained their breathing they continued kissing until
each, still with arms and legs around one another, fell asleep.
________________________________________________________________________________
__

D DAY +3

They were in the landing craft being tossed all over the place and some
of them got sick. Lee tried to be humorous, "As a day out to France
Captain, you can stick it." Some laughed, but most did not hear. They
soon got near enough to hear the gun fire coming from the beaches. The
Americans were having a hell of a time, but they all knew those brave men
would come through. Tommy had grown to like them during times of exercise
and other training and he felt the feeling was, mostly, mutual.
They would often "discuss" a GI or six.

"He looks nice Lee, I could do him a favour."

"Nah Tommy I already have. He's useless, only got a 9 inch dick!" End of
discussion.

With a huge lurch the Landing craft and many more besides drove onto the
beach and the ramp was lowered. They were all in their jeeps with engines
running and Andrew lead them off and they followed him up the beach which
had been cleared of Germans on the first landing three days previously,
but they were stuck trying to take the town of Caen and were told to join
Col. Smithers command some five miles south of the beach.

After two days Andrew and two other jeeps were sent off to the eastern
flank some five miles distant and would spread themselves out to cover a
two mile observation sector and report on any enemy movements. Tommy
waited with Lee for their orders. They did not have long to wait and it
was far from what they expected.

"Right you are needed with your rifle Tommy." Col. Smithers showed them
on the map where they should go and report to a Major Thornton who would
tell them what he wanted. Lee had looked at the map as well and knew
exactly where to go. He had a photographic memory which was always a
surprise for Tommy as he tended to forget every thing else.

"Bloody hell Lieutenant how old are you?"

"22 in September sir."

"So, if my maths are correct, 21?"

"Yes sir."

"The sergeant here will take you to your firing point and see what you
can do for us, there are several machine guns we have to get rid of, the
bastards are holding us up."

They drove to a building and the Sergeant took them to the floor where
ten of them were firing at anything they could see. A Staff Sergeant was
in charge.

"I asked for a man not a fucking boy scout and a midget."

"Shut up Staff and and tell them to stop firing." The Staff looked at
Tommy, he was much older and by the look of him a regular, the contempt
was obvious. He looked hard at Tommy who stared back holding his look.
Tommy found that he was quite calm and even knowing he could be about to
kill his first human being he had no nerves. He wondered if he would be
as calm when he had someone in his sights.

"STOP FIRING! This very junior officer and Mr Universe are here to do
what we have been trying to do all day. Watch and apparently learn. Over
to you, SIR! Tommy kept his mouth shut, for the time being.

"Right, listen up!" (NO Tommy!) I want you to let Corporal Thompson
know of any targets and he will direct me. I want them to think
this floor is empty. He said no more, he had no idea if the men thought
he knew what he was talking about and relied on BsBB, Bullshit Baffles
Brains.  He got himself comfortable and waited for Lee to speak, but
before that he found one himself as he looked through the telescopic
sights on his Lee Enfield .303 sniper rifle. He had seen an arm which was
now out of sight, but knew it may appear again. He estimated it was 150
yards to the target.

"On target." Tommy waited and willed the arm to come out again, but got a
lot more as the top of a head appeared. It was almost too easy and he
made one more casualty of this bloody war.

He did not think this was much good just waiting for a target that may
not appear. He called the Staff Sergeant over.
"Look this is going to take ages, but there maybe a quicker way." He
turned to Lee. "Take someone with you and get the Bazooka and all the
rounds, I'm going to blast that building open. Oh and Lee bring
binoculars." He told the Staff Sergeant to, "Organize your men to fire at
defined targets and fire on my command, that will give me a better chance
to fire myself without getting my head blown off. We will need to scan
the building for any weak spots and I will target them." He looked at the
Staff Sergeant and waited. "Worth a try I suppose-------sir."

With the first round loaded, the three of them looked at the building
trying to find any weakness, it was Lee who saw one of course. It was on
the ground floor were a large crack could be seen just to the left of the
main entrance. Tommy looked at it and got into position and called out
for them to open fire. They opened up with 9 rifles and a Bren gun, Tommy
peered round from his hiding place, took aim and fired himself. There was
a hell of an explosion and when the dust cleared he had done quite a lot
of damage and the crack was now a hole. The Germans stopped firing
briefly and Lee reloaded and as the lads fire continued Tommy took aim,
fired hitting to one side of the first hit. The Germans now opened up
again, but this time had to break cover to be able to get on target
themselves and several were shot. Tommy moved to another position as he
was coming under fire on the one he was at. He loaded again and sent
another round away and that did a massive amount of damage and the wall
began to collapse and the forth shell did the job and several floors
caved in. He had two rounds left and aimed directly into rooms that they
were fairly sure machine gunners were and must have wiped out quite a few
of them as all but one of the German machine guns had stopped firing.
They were told to cease fire by the Major and the Commandos went in, it
was cleared in two hours.

"You just cant trust boys scouts and midgets these days can you Staff
Sergeant, always up to no good. Problem solved I think." He smiled at the
Staff Sergeant.

"Well done Lieutenant and you Corporal, thanks for your help. Don't
suppose you two would like to stick around a while longer?" Major
Thornton asked.

"No thanks sir, we need to get back." Tommy didn't know if they had to,
he just did not want to be here any longer than was necessary. They drove
back in silence and for the first time Tommy thought about what they had
done. "This is going to be hard to deal with, but the same goes for all
of us I suppose. Fucking Hitler.
The first thing Tommy did when they got back was find more Bazooka
rounds. He was pleased to have them.

After three more weeks Caen eventually fell and now Col. Smithers command
was told to start advancing East on the northern edge of the front line.
The FRU were not  exactly idol and were sent out to give escort
protection and fire cover with their twin Lewis guns. These guns maybe of
first world war vintage but by having two of them strapped together on
the same mounting they gave out over 1000 rounds per minute from drum
magazines holding 98 rounds each and they had 10 of them.
Col. Smithers now had to advance as far as he could and would have to
engage any attempt at a counter attack with artillery and tanks as well
as his infantry. The four jeeps of the FRU would scout ahead while the
BGC's would support them as well as carry out troop movements, casualty
evacuations and supplies. They would also be available to carry out
static observations like the jeeps if needed.

Tommy and Lee arrived at their designated area and were more than happy
that they were now on their own, well hidden with a great position to see
a vast area. They had found a great way to observe, Lee standing in front
of Tommy leaning up against him and Tommy leaning against the jeep.
They had been at the post for a day and a half and the only thing of
importance was Lee.

"Great this Tommy. I could stay here until the war is over and it's all
clear, wanna another fuck?" God knows what would have happened if they
had been caught the day before standing as they were now, but with pants
down and Lee enjoying Tommy's man bit up his bum!"

"There is a war on Corporal in case you had forgotten. We British don't
do that sort of thing at times like this and in any case only officers
can suggest such a thing, like yesterday."

"Piss off, wanna fuck?"

"Oh ok, lets do another sweep first!" They raised their binoculars and as
soon as they did, Lee spotted a bit of a problem.

"Over there, 10 o'clock Tommy. Shit, there's a fucking army coming at
us!" At about two and a half miles they could see a lot of movement and
counted  ten tanks, twenty troop carriers and a lot of
troop/supply lorries. It must be a counter attack and Tommy wondered if
there were more of them in another area. He got on the radio and reported
to HQ giving all the details including location, distance and map
reference. They were told to keep sending reports and were also informed
that there had been other reports of the enemy to the south of them.

When the advancing Germans got to one mile the artillery opened up and
Tommy fed back the fall of the shells. It caused the Germans to scatter,
but they kept coming and now Tommy would have to concentrate on
individual targets. Two tanks had been hit and looked to be out of action
and at least two troop carriers had also been hit . On his suggestion the
artillery switched to air burst shells and that indeed did a lot of
damage and caused the Jerry's to stop and dig in. They knew it would not
be long before they were targeted themselves as it would not take the
Germans long to make a calculated guess as to where they were and use the
tanks guns to open up on them and so they packed up and fell back to
another position half a mile away. The new location was not as good as
the first so they had to keep moving until they actually ended up
back near where they had been in the first place. He continued to control
the artillery with some success and kept the Germans from advancing, but
they were to see just what the real value of this observation work was
when four RAF Tornadoes screamed over and rocketed and straffed the
Germans, followed a few minutes later by four more. Next and to their
right a large section of Col. Smithers command came into sight and with
still a lot of air support and ten Sherman tanks finished the job.
Over 500 prisoners were taken and many more killed. Time is running
out Herr Hitler!

Two more months went by with Tommy and Lee and the rest of the FRU
carrying on with their work, but there was a disaster when two of them
were killed when they had been spotted and the jeeps only managed to get
back with the two injured drivers. It gave Tommy and Lee a lot to think
and worry about. They knew bloody well the Germans knew they would be
observed and the risk was high.

"Tommy I want you and Lee to go forward to this point. It's 5 miles so
quite a distance, but Col. Smithers want's that village,  Bourgeaville
covered. As you can see it's pretty isolated and perfect cover for the
Jerry's if not now it could be some time in the future. You are likely to
be there some time. Hope you two find something to stop you getting
bored!" He had a huge grin on his face. "Just be careful guys, support
will be some time away when you are there."

After stocking up they went on their way. It was a quick drive for the
first 3 miles, but then they stopped often after that and just looked and
listened before moving on. A mile before the village they drove off track
and looked for the position they had selected before leaving. Lee knew
exactly were he was going and after an half hour they arrived and looked
round them for a good spot to observe the village and good cover. Driving
through the forest was slow but they come across what they thought was
the perfect place. Lee turned the engine off and they got out and crept
forward to the edge of the wood and both saw the Germans at the same
time. It was not a large force as far as they could see and by the number
of trucks guessed about 100 men as all they could see was four of them
and no tanks or troop carriers.

"Bloody hell Tommy, Smiffy was right. This place is not so good as we
thought though, that copse over there is in the way. There maybe more of
the bastards we cant see." They carried on looking and talked about
options and came up with the only one that made sense, they would have to
get to that copse, it was certainly big enough for them to hide well, but
getting to it was the problem. The big advantage they had was they were
on higher ground and there was a gentle slope all the way down to the
village and, apart from the copse it was clear all round.

"We will have to get there somehow Lee. What if we drive out again and go
south so the copse is between us and the village then try to get to it
before it gets light? If we are spotted just reverse out and I can use
the Lewis guns to cover us."

"I love it when you make it sound so simple." Lee moved to Tommy and
kissed him. They had done a lot of that over the months.

At their new location they had again got to the edge of the wood and were
satisfied they were hidden as best they could be and just hoped their
luck would last when the time came for them to get to the copse.
Meanwhile, they cuddled up and waited for first light when they could see
properly.

Lee started up and slowly drove to the edge of the wood and switched off.
Tommy got behind the jeep with Lee at the side with one hand on the
wheel. Luck again was on their side as with the strength of Tommy and a
little bit from Lee it began to move and they coasted all the way down
and managed to get right inside the copse. They stopped and once again
went forward to look at the village. It was all quiet and the enemy they
could see were just hanging about doing nothing in particular. They did
not see any of the villagers and assumed they were still under curfew.
Tommy was happy about where they were, just a little over 200 yards, but
getting the jeep to the side over looking the village was going to be a
big risk. They walked back to the jeep and plotted a route to get it just
short of the edge of their new hiding place. They would have to push the
jeep and would have to off load as much as they could to do it.

They got the route sorted and before they went back to the jeep to start
off loading Tommy took a good look around the whole area before finally
making up his mind and found what he didn't want to.

"What you looking for Tommy?"

"Butt ends and there are a few, look. The Jerry's must come up here for
a smoke break or whatever they do, so we cant stay here, fuck it. Lee we
will have to cover the jeep after we get it in the copse a bit more and
will just have to come here without it. If we see anyone coming we will
just draw back, there are no butt ends further in so it maybe safe.

They got back to the jeep and pulled it in another 10 feet and began to
camouflage it. When they were satisfied they did what they tried to do as
often as they could, had a strip wash taking it in turns getting naked
and the other washing him. It only took a few moments, this place was not
for fucking. They then camouflaged themselves and went forward to look at
the village. They stayed like that all day and watched the Germans and
now the villagers as they went about their work in the fields. They left
one at a time to eat. It was now almost dark and quiet, they took it in
turns to try to sleep.

The next day they woke early and each took it in turns to go back for
something to eat and have a dump. Now back together they were able to
observe the village much better now that they had an unrestricted view.
Villagers were working in the fields again nearest to the village with
armed guards keeping an eye on them. Again they came up with the same
number of enemy, 100 and no more trucks.

"I hope I haven't fucked up Lee.  Maybe we should have stayed where we
were, we are a bit close and getting out could be a problem if they spot
us. I'm going to radio HQ just to let them know what's going on and we
will have to stay here and wait I guess." Tommy got back to Lee after
talking to HQ, he was told to keep them informed and "well done chaps!"

"Oh well, I didn't fuck up then Lee."

"Wish you could me though!" Another kiss, but as soon as they had
finished they both stared at the two Germans coming towards them. They
were well covered but of course moved back and cocked their Thompson
machine guns that Lee was convinced were named after him! Even when Tommy
told him they were given that name years before he was born made no
difference.

They laid still as they watched an officer and an NCO come into the wood
and light up. Now Tommy knew where the butt ends came from. What they
were talking about they had no idea. The officer was slim very good
looking and about 5ft 10 the other guy huge and over 6ft. There was
obviously something to laugh at because they didn't stop and when at last
they threw the butts down Tommy breathed a sigh of relief thinking they
would go back, but no none of it, they moved together and kissed! They
watched as they both stripped off completely naked and gave Tommy and Lee
problems with their own cocks as they got stiff watching these two kiss,
lick, rim and fuck, well the big bloke did the fucking. They watched
as he picked the other guy up, held him against a tree and listened to
the officer moan as monster man fed his 10 inch cock into him. It did not
last long as the watchers assumed it may have been some time since
this had happened and only after a few fucks big man called out something
in German like,  "Adolf, i'm cumming!" Tommy and Lee never thought he
would stop as he went on and on filling his CO up with all his Germanic
juice while one of Hitler's finest took it all up the ass and could see
the access dripping out of him. Big one at long last lifted the winner of
the Iron Cross off of his canon and put him back on his feet and then got
behind him and took "Adolf's" cock in one of his massive hands and wanked
him off. This fine officer and no doubt very vocal against all things
homosexual came a bucket load and sank to his knees with the mountain
still behind him with his arms around his mans body. They talked more
then "Adolf" got to his feet and they spent ages kissing once again.
These two had not just had sex, they were in love. A. H. would be MOST
displeased! Tommy hoped.

"Fuck that made me horny Tommy. What a fucking huge cock! I am going to
change sides!" They could not get up to what those had just done, but got
their pants down as quickly as they could and wanked one another off! For
a brief moment the war was forgotten. They remained were they were all
day and looked on as the Germans went about what ever they needed to do
hoping that no more would come into the copse for a fag and a fuck.

They again tried to sleep in turns. It was going to be a long night.
Tommy was unsettled he did not feel right about having the jeep so far
away, but there was nothing he could do about it. That was about to
change though as about 05 00 there was a lot of noise and movement from
the village. It was obvious the Germans were moving out, but which
direction? Lee was awake.

"Think we can risk getting the jeep here Tommy?" Lee was not happy
either.

"Come on, they are making enough noise down there to wake the dead, they
wont hear us." It did not take that long and while the commotion carried
on they were now well covered and carried on observing. Tommy got on the
radio and let HQ  know what was happening and would follow up when they
knew which way they were going.

One of the trucks had been loaded and now the next one, both full of
equipment including what looked like petrol cans. They assumed the other
two trucks were for the troops. By the number of them running around
Tommy and Lee thought there was fewer than they first thought and when
they lined up a quick count told them there were 80 of them, but they
were wrong, there was more. There was even more shouting now, but this
time it was angry shouting and a chill went down Tommy's back, this
sounded really bad.

"Lee get the Bren out and all the magazines there is trouble coming. I
know it." As he said that a group of 10 troops and the same officer as
yesterday were marched out and halted about 25 feet from a wall, all
armed and facing it. One of the firing squad was very big and tall.

"Lee they are going to shoot the villagers. I will fire the Bren and kill
the firing squad. As soon as I fire you fire the Lewis's and aim for
those lined up. If I manage to kill all those people, you take over the
Bren and fire single shot because they will scatter as soon as we shoot,
I just hope the villagers will scatter themselves and get the fuck out of
the way."

"Oh Christ Tommy do you really think they are going to kill them?"
Neither of them could get anywhere near understanding any of this, but
then they had very little time to give it much thought.

"I'm sure of it Lee, but i'm hoping we will be ok. They have MG 38's, but
we have the Lewis's and the Bren and can fire at least 1500 rounds a
minute and it will take some time before they can fire back, still you
may have to get us out in a hurry. Love you Lee."

Tommy was right, about 50 villagers were being led out and lined up
against the wall, women and children included. All Tommy could think
of was his aim and thanking his luck that no villagers were in his or
Lee's firing line. The firing squad still had their weapons at
their chests giving him more time to check his aim and put pressure on
the trigger. "Adolf" had his Luger in his hand and raised it, he was
about to call out his first order, he opened his mouth and Tommy
open fired.

The next few minutes saw many die as Tommy used his first magazine
shooting the entire firing squad, but somehow missing the officer who
dived to the floor. Lee open up and mowed down many of the troops lined
up to watch the execution of the villagers. They began to scatter and
Tommy switched to single shot and picked out any target in his sights.
Lee got down and took over the Bren and Tommy on the Lewis guns. He fired
on the first truck which blew up and then back to the soldiers. They had
no chance to escape as they were barred from getting on the trucks and
because they were out in the open and nowhere to go. They threw their
weapons down and raised their arms. Tommy and Lee ceased firing. The
villagers had run like hell out of the way and stood some distance away
in utter shock. Tommy told Lee to cover him and he picked up his Thompson
and went out of the woods and stood there waiting for the Germans to make
up their minds to approach him. The villagers made up their minds for
them as they started to attack the, now prisoners. They all ran towards
Tommy and Lee.

"I and my men surrender to you and your forces and I expect that we be
treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention. I was only carrying out
orders, sir." His English was perfect and handed Tommy his Luger.

"If you don't shut your fucking mouth I will treat you the same way as
you were going to treat the villagers you fucking bastard. Apparently
they don't come under the Geneva Convention." Wisely he kept his mouth
firmly shut. Tommy told Lee to contact HQ and ask for assistance to take
the prisoners away.

The whole situation confused and upset both of them. How in God's name
could anyone carry out such acts of barbarity. Tommy kept looking at the
German officer, but something stopped him from challenging him and
showing his disgust at this man and who he represented. Tommy had read a
lot now about the British and how they sometimes behaved during their
progress towards Empire. "Who the fuck am I to judge? I'm just pleased I
was not alive in those days, you never know I might have had to "carry
out orders" as well." An hour later a BGC with six troops on
board arrived and took the prisoners away.

Tommy was told Col. Smithers would catch up with them the next day and
to stick around until then. The villagers got to Tommy and Lee and showed
their gratitude by taking both of them back to eat and drink wine. They
were offered a room to stay in, but refused, they needed to stay with the
jeep. They did except the offer to have a bath though and two very clean
soldiers went back to their jeep, cuddled up as best they could and
slept.

Two weeks later they were in the headquarters with a smiling Col.
Smithers. He did not do that often. Andrew was with him, also smiling.

"Corporal Thompson I would like to congratulate you on your promotion to
Sergeant and your award of the Military Medal. Well done Lee, very well
done." Lee looked suitably embarrassed as did Tommy when he learned of
his promotion to full Lieutenant and the Military Cross. It would take a
long time to come to terms with what had happened on that day, but
knowing they had saved the lives of many men women and children was some
compensation.
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winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk